System and method for assisting persons with leg anisomelia

ABSTRACT

A system used with casual footwear wherein the system includes applying one or more height raising layers to the underside of at least one footwear article in order to compensate for a person having Leg Lengthening Disorder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Anisomelia, or Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD), is a condition in which asymmetry exist between paired limbs. LLDs are quite common in the world's population. They can be categorized into two types: Anatomical or Functional.

Anatomical LLDs are associated with the shortening of bony structures in one of an individual's lower extremities. Functional LLDs are created as a result of altered biomechanics of the lower extremities. Altered biomechanics can be caused by a number of musculoskeletal disorders which may include, but are not limited to scoliosis, osteoarthritis, ankle/hip/knee mal-alignment, muscle weakness/tightness, joint stiffness, and acquired causes as a result of infections, paralysis, tumors, or surgical procedures (i.e., Total hip/knee replacements).

Research has shown that LLDs exists in 25-93% of the world's population. Studies have shown there is a direct correlation between subjective levels of Low Back Pain and LLD as well as Hip Pain and LLD. Reports show that individuals with LLDs normally don't exhibit symptoms unless there is a difference of 2.0 cm (˜¾ inch). However, as a physical therapist, I have seen improvements of subjective pain levels with the use of shoe inserts in individuals with a LLD as little as 0.5 cm. Also, activity levels in individuals with LLD play a major role in applying stress to the regions of the lumbar spine, sacroiliac, hip, knee, and ankle joints. Often, an individual with LLD may be asymptomatic. However, with injury or trauma to one of the aforementioned joints of an individual with LLD, this can affect the healing process and apply unwanted stress to an injured joint. Often, this can become an issue, which leads to chronic pain.

The use of orthotics or shoe lifts to offset asymmetries of leg length is widely used to normalize gait abnormalities and insure proper biomechanics of the lumbar spine, pelvis and lower extremities. In the field of physical therapy, shoe inserts have been effective at minimizing subjective pain levels in individuals with LLD.

Often, patients present to physical therapy with a preference for wearing flip flops in place of shoes. The use of an insert for flip-flops is impossible due to the lack of an outer wall around the flip-flop to hold the insert in place. Reasons for patient's preference of flip-flops over shoes vary and have not been taken into account. However, it appears to be more common during the warmer seasons and warmer climates. Many patients exhibit low back pain within 10 minutes. The present invention addresses this disorder and subjective pain levels are reduced significantly and often eliminated when the system and method of the present invention are utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for improved biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system during standing and/or gait activities for individuals who have a LLD and prefer to wear flip flops or other casual footwear including, but not limited to slippers, sandals, CROCS®, and the like. The invention is to prevent and/or minimize pain associated with altered skeletal alignment during standing activities.

Currently, there are numerous inserts and orthotics that exists for use with shoes to equalize LLDs. However, there are no such tools available to insure symmetrical lower extremity alignment with the use of flip-flops. This invention will allow individuals who have a LLD and prefer to wear flip-flops, the opportunity to exhibit a more normal biomechanical musculoskeletal alignment during standing activities or with ambulation.

In one embodiment, the invention includes:

A system for use with patients with LLD, said system comprising, utilization of one or more height rising layers applied to the underside of an existing article of footwear, said material constructed and arranged with an upper proximal horizontal plane, said proximal horizontal plane having adhesive disposed thereon and a lower distal horizontal plane constructed and arranged for conventional walking.

The system further comprising utilization of more than one height assistive material layer.

Also contemplated is a method for providing assistance to a person with LLD said method comprising:

-   evaluating a patient having LLD; -   determining which leg is in need of an assistive device; -   determining the height required for an assisted device; -   providing at least one material according to the present invention,     having a thickness relative to correcting the assistive height     required; -   applying said material selectively to either or both of the     underside or distal surface, or top side/proximal surface of an     article of footwear.

The further includes evaluating said height after at least one assistive layer is applied to at least one of a pair of casual footwear worn by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view of components of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of components of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an uncut sheet and flip flop utilized in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side cross section of one embodiment of the insert of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side cross section of one embodiment of the insert of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a side comparative view of a sandal and a sandal positioned on top of the components of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As discussed generally herein, individuals with the disorder known as leg length discrepancy (LLD) have encountered significant difficulty when wearing casual footwear. Casual footwear includes, but is not limited to, footwear such as popular Crocs®, flip flops, beachwear, slippers sandals and the like. The present invention addresses the need for assistance in adjusting the base height when persons with LLD wear such footwear. The present invention is a system 10 to be incorporated with an existing sole base portion 13 and a securing portion 11. A user can select a material 16 of particularized length. Said material has disposed on a first horizontal surface, a suitable adhesive 12. Material 16 is constructed and arranged with a first horizontal surface, as discussed above, and a second horizontal surface, being the underside or distal surface, such that it can be cut using standard cutting means such as scissors knives and the like in order to conform to the shape of base portion 13.

Once material 16 is cut, adhesive 12 effectuates the securing of material 16 to base portion 13. As generally understood in FIG. 1 the base material can be material 16 having a first thickness, material 18 having a second thickness, material 20 having a third thickness or combinations thereof. Because persons afflicted with LLD have individualized and particularized needs for adjusting the height one or more base portions can be utilized in order to provide the necessary and required height adjustments. When more than one base portion is utilized in the present invention it is generally understood that each base portion will have a layer of adhesive 12 on the upper most portion (e.g. proximal) in order to secure successive base portions one to another. In one embodiment, as in FIG. 2, first base portion 22, second base portion 24, third base portion 26 and fourth base portion 28 have identical thickness. In all embodiments, although multiple base portions are shown in the figures, one or more base portions are contemplated in the system and method of the present invention. Additionally, it is not required that each base portion, when successive base portions are utilized be constructed and arranged of identical materials. In this embodiment, base portions can be made of varying materials having varied characteristics in order to provide comfort, support and durability. As generally understood in the environment of use, being used with a shoe product, base portions utilized in the present invention must exhibit significant durability in order to withstand the various forces and pressure applied from use as a support underneath a shoe product.

In one embodiment, base portions have marked indicia along the peripheral surface such that a user can monitor the relative wear and replace base portions if the proper height adjusting distance is no longer being achieved. It is further contemplated, as shown in FIG. 4, in the present invention that sole 40 have a distal or underside base portion 46 that is a layer that deteriorates over time such that when base portion 46 is in need of being replaced, a second color from an indicating layer 44, becomes visible. That is to say that a base portion 46 is provided for example with a dark blue lower or distal surface and after repeated walking and the distal surface begins to wear out the indicating layer 44 has a secondary color such as an orange or a light blue or other contrasting color becomes visibly evident upon visual inspection of the lower or proximal surface. This provides an indicator for when the base portion 40 needs to be replaced.

In one embodiment, as in FIG. 5, each material can have a variety of layers constructed and arranged of varying materials. For example, base 50 has a proximal layer 52 that allows cushioning support for base 13, there can be an intermediate layer 54 with significant hardness in order to provide increased structural support, and an outer or distal layer 56 which provides traction and stability for the person when walking when base 50 is secured to shoe base 13.

In use, the method of the present invention includes a medical evaluation to determine if a person has LLD. After said evaluation, information relating to which foot requires utilization of the system of the present invention. After a determination relating to which foot is in need of assistance, a determination of the thickness of the assistive system of the present invention is evaluated. The user then selects material with appropriate thickness or selects a plurality of materials with appropriate thickness such that the proper assistive length is achieved when applying one or more assistive layers to the underside or distal portion of the shoe.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a prefabricated flip flop that bought off the shelf is utilized in the present invention that will take into account the leg length discrepancy. One flip flop of the pair (right or left), will be a standard height, and the other flip flop will be at the appropriate height to offset the LLD. In this embodiment, system 10 has a flip flop sole base portion 13. It is generally understood that each base portion will have a layer of adhesive 12 on the upper most portion (e.g. proximal) in order to secure successive base portions one to another. In one embodiment, as in FIG. 6, first base portion 22, second base portion 24, third base portion 26 and fourth base portion 28 have identical thickness. A user can apply or remove any one or more of layers 22, 24, 26, or 28 to the distal portion of flip flop sole base portion 13, to provide the desired thickness.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, provides a system where an insert that would be applied to the top portion or proximal surface of the flip flop on the side of the limb that exhibits the short leg. Assistive base 30 has first receiving orifice 62 and second receiving orifice 64 formed therein in order to accommodate securing portion 11. In one embodiment, the arrangement in FIG. 7 has adhesive on the distal surface of assistive base 30 to secure to flip flop sole base portion 13.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A system for use with patients with LLD, said system comprising, utilization of one or more height rising layers applied to the underside or distal surface of an existing article of footwear, said material constructed and arranged with an upper proximal horizontal plane, said proximal horizontal plane having adhesive disposed thereon and a lower distal horizontal plane constructed and arranged for conventional walking.
 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising utilization of more than one height assistive material layer.
 3. A system for use with patients with LLD, said system comprising, utilization of one or more height rising layers applied to the upper side or proximal side of an existing article of footwear, said material constructed and arranged with an upper proximal horizontal plane, said proximal horizontal plane having adhesive disposed thereon and a lower distal horizontal plane constructed and arranged for conventional walking.
 4. The system of claim 3 further comprising utilization of more than one height assistive material layer.
 5. A method for providing assistance to a person with LLD said method comprising the steps of: evaluating a patient having LLD; determining which leg is in need of an assistive device; determining the height required for an assisted device; providing a system according to claim 1 having at least one material with a thickness relative to correcting the assistive height required; applying said material to the underside or distal surface of an article of footwear.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said method further includes evaluating said height after at least one assistive layer is applied to at least one of a pair of casual footwear worn by a user.
 7. A method for providing assistance to a person with LLD said method comprising the steps of: evaluating a patient having LLD; determining which leg is in need of an assistive device; determining the height required for an assisted device; providing a system according to claim 3 having at least one material with a thickness relative to correcting the assistive height required; applying said material to the top side or proximal surface of an article of footwear.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said method further includes evaluating said height after at least one assistive layer is applied to at least one of a pair of casual footwear worn by a user. 